Cats and high-rise syndrome

Missy tried to vault to the kitchen counter, slipped and fell — kerplunk! — on the floor. Luckily, she wasn’t hurt, although her fragile feline feelings were definitely damaged. Poor kitty shook her head in disbelief that such a thing could happen to a cat usually so agile. Then, obviously vowing to be more careful next time, she padded off.

Missy did not make the headlines for this fall, but a cat named Sugar made news today after an amazing 19-story fall from a Boston high-rise apartment building — a tumble from which she survived and was able to walk away.

Apparently, Sugar saw an open window in her owner’s apartment and for some reason that no one will ever know, the cat either leaped or slipped and went tumbling down, down, down. Eight of her nine lives later, Sugar landed in a small, soft patch of mulch; then got up, much like Missy did from her much shorter fall, shook herself and padded off.

The Animal Rescue League is saying Sugar fell about 150 to 200 feet.

How did the cat manage this awesome survival, sustaining just a few bruises and a small cut on the lip?

Experts around the country are saying this amazing thing was accomplished by the inborn feline ability to act like a flying squirrel–reflexively spreading out legs to increase drag and using an acute sense of balance to right the body and get in the best position for landing. According to those in the know, cats reach terminal velocity at about five stories and at that point relax, which also helps cushion a fall. And, surprisingly, some say cats that fall from heights exceeding nine stories have a better chance of not being injured. When the fall is of short duration, it seems that there isn’t time to relax and act like a flying squirrel.

In a piece on this phenomenon called “high-rise syndrome ,” Wikipedia notes that studies have been done on cats that have fallen 2 to 32 stories. The survival rate is 90 percent, with most of the survivors falling from the highest places. With this in mind, I am watching those smaller, shorter leaps that Missy often takes and discouraging her from attempting them. They put her at risk. I tell her not to think of going higher, too.

“Stay down,” I plead, “and I will give you a nice treat.”

Thus distracted, she’s usually more than willing to be grounded.

I also must add that I’m grateful for the screens on my windows. If I open a window, kitties can’t go tumbling out. I urge everyone who has a cat to be equally cautious. Whether your window is high up or low down, don’t take any chances.

Apparently, the folks that own the Boston high-rise won’t be taking any more chances, either. They’ve screened Sugar’s window/launching pad. This will make life much sweeter and safer for the feline in the future. And that’s very good news.